For the Church, the last Sunday of the year is not in late December, but today. This is the last Sunday of the Church Year. We have undergone a myriad of emotions in these last 12 months only to go through them again beginning next Sunday. One reason we follow the Church Year is because we are a Christo-centric people. We are a people shaped by Christ and His Gospel, and so, we never tire of hearing of Jesus’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. We never tire of hearing about the gospel story because the gospel story has now become our story.

As we prepare this week for the Season of Advent, Providence will provide booklets with readings and devotionals for the entire season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We have used them for the last few years and they have proved to be a valuable resource during this Season.

The season of expectation is nigh. This morning, what is your expectation as a member or visitor in this Lord’s Day? Is your expectation to be renewed by God? Is your expectation to grow in grace? Is your expectation to commune with one another? Is your expectation to lift up your voices in adoration? Is your expectation to meet our Lord at His table? May these be our expectations today! Believe this and rejoice.